Mute holder



L. BARTOLI MUTE HOLDER Dec. 26, 1939.

Filed May 23, 1958 M M M Patented Dec. 26, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to a mute holder, and

it is one object of the invention to provide a device of this character by means of which a mute may be held above the strings of a violin between the bridge and the tail piece where it may be conveniently reached when needed, and easily replaced after being removed from the bridge.

Another object of the invention is to so construct the mute holder that it may be applied to the strings and firmly supported between two strings with its mute gripping jaws projecting upwardly in position to receive the mute between them and frictionally grip the mute to hold it in an upright position.

Another object of the invention is to provide the mute holder with a base portion so formed that when it is disposed between two strings of a violin, the strings will be received in grooves at opposite sides of the base and engage rubber linings for the grooves, thus permitting the base to be easily shifted along the strings, but at the same time causing frictional grip which will hold the device in a set position between the bridge and the tail piece of the violin.

Another object of the invention is to provide the device with jaws having their mute engaging faces so padded that the mute will be firmly gripped when in place, but may be very easily inserted or removed during playing of the violin.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mute holder which is very simple in construction, easy to apply to strings of a violin, and adapted to be firmly but shiftably held in a set position between the bridge and the tail piece.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the improved mute holder in use;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the mute holder applied to strings of a violin;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the mute holder;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a modified form of mute holder.

The mute holder constituting the subject matter of this invention is adaptedto be applied to the strings l of a violin or similar stringed instrument 2 and supported between certain of the strings intermediate the bridge 3 and the tail piece 4. The mute 5 is of a conventional construction and when in use is applied in straddling relation to the bridge in the usual manner to mute the instrument. During playing of a violin, it is often necessary to quickly apply or remove the mute and the holder is so constructed that it may be applied to the strings and mounted in such a position that the mute may be quickly grasped and removed, and also very easily returned to the holder after being removed from the bridge.

This mute holder has a base 6 of such width that it may be fitted between strings of the violin by slightly springing the strings apart and forcing the base downwardly between and into position for the strings to engage opposite side edge faces of the base, and enter grooves 1 formed therein. The grooves are lined with rubber 8 which may be formed of rubber tubing severed longitudinally and glued or otherwise held firmly in the grooves. By lining the grooves with rubber the portions of the strings engaged in the grooves will be frictionally gripped and the base will be firmly held in place and prevented from shifting longitudinally along the strings, or slipping vertically out of place between the strings.

Jaws 9 and I0. extend upwardly from the base at an incline, as shown in Figure 2 and to the inner faces of these jaws are glued or otherwise firmly secured pads II and 12, while another pad 13 is carried by the base between the jaws. These pads are of yieldable material, such as cork, felt, or sponge rubber, and when the mute is set in place between the jaws, it will rest upon the pad I3 and be firmly gripped by the pads II and I2. Therefore, it will be frictionally gripped and held between the jaws, but may be easily and quickly removed when needed, and also easily replaced after being removed from the bridge. The fact that the jaws project upwardly from the base disposes them in such position over the strings that the mute may be easily fitted between them and the fact that they extend at an incline also assists in permitting a mute to be easily moved into place between the jaws and thrust between the pads II and I2.

The jaw H! has been shown formed with a dovetailed tongue M at its bottom which is engaged in an undercut groove or recess I5 formed in the base and it is to be understood that the jaw 9 may be secured to the base'in link manner, or the two jaws united by a web which, together with the lower ends of the jaws, is engaged in the groove in the base. If so desired, the jaws may be formed integral with the base as shown in Figure 4, and referring to this figure, it will be seen that the base has been shown elongated and projecting from the jaw ID for approximately half its length. This elongated base extends between the strings of the violin a greater distance than the base of the holder shown in Figures 1 and 2, and consequently, will be more firmly gripped and held in place between the strings.

It should also be noted that instead of de pending upon the grooves and their rubber linings to hold the device in place between the strings, there may be provided clips carried by the base in position to engage the strings and i hold the base firmly in place between the same.

While I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes in the sizes, shapes and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention and the from said base member, and pads carried by the inner opposed faces of the jaws to removably receive and hold a mute therebetween.

2. A mute holder attachment for violins comprising a base member for disposition between a pair of adjacent strings of a violin between the bridge and tail piece thereof, the opposite side edge faces of the base member being formed with longitudinally extending string receiving grooves, linings for said grooves formed of soft elastic material for frictional gripping engagement with said pair of adjacent strings to hold the member in place between the aforesaid pair of adjacent strings, and a pair of spaced jaws extending upwardly from said base member for longitudinally mounting a mute in an upright position on the base between said spaced jaws.

3. A mute holder attachment for violins comprising a base member for disposition between a pair of adjacent strings of a violin between the bridge and tail piece thereof and supported between and by the said pair of strings, spaced jaws extending upwardly from said base for supporting a mute therebetween in an upright position over the base, one of said jaws having its iower end formed with a depending dovetailed portion, said base being formed with an under out groove for receiving the tongue portion on the aforesaid jaw whereby the aforesaid jaw is removably mounted on the base.

LINO BARTOLI. 

